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Caroline Kennedy withdraws name Caroline Kennedy withdraws name
(about 4 hours later)
Caroline Kennedy has said she is no longer interested in replacing Hillary Clinton as a senator for New York.Caroline Kennedy has said she is no longer interested in replacing Hillary Clinton as a senator for New York.
Hillary Clinton gave up her Senate seat when she became President Barack Obama's secretary of state. Mrs Clinton gave up her Senate seat when she became President Barack Obama's secretary of state.
Ms Kennedy has told New York Governor David Paterson she is withdrawing her name for personal reasons, a spokesperson said.Ms Kennedy has told New York Governor David Paterson she is withdrawing her name for personal reasons, a spokesperson said.
Her uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, has been diagnosed with brain cancer and suffered a seizure on inauguration day.Her uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, has been diagnosed with brain cancer and suffered a seizure on inauguration day.
He was taken to hospital, but later discharged and returned home.He was taken to hospital, but later discharged and returned home.
"I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate," said Mrs Kennedy in a statement issued by her spokesperson.
Widely criticised
Governor Paterson has the sole authority to fill the senate vacated by Hillary Clinton.Governor Paterson has the sole authority to fill the senate vacated by Hillary Clinton.
Correspondents say Ms Kennedy's withdrawal leaves New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo - who was secretary of housing and urban development in Bill Clinton's administration - as the favourite to Mrs Hillary Clinton.
Ms Kennedy, 51, was widely criticised for her appearance in a series of interviews, in which she came across as unknowledgeable on key policy areas, unable to articulate why she was seeking public office for the first time - and even for possessing a verbal tic.
In one 30-minute interview she used the phrase "you know" more than 200 times.
Critics also questioned whether Ms Kennedy, who had not voted in a number of recent elections, was being given the seat simply because of her family connections.